Premiership: Aussies back Socceroos stance

Premiership-based Aussies Mark Viduka and Paul Okon have backed Soccer Australia’s defiant stance in their on-going battle with leading clubs across Europe over next month’s friendly with France in Melbourne.

The Socceroos have vowed to defy a recommendation by the sport's world governing body FIFA that France and Australia select a maximum of one player per club of either nationality for the November 11 game.

Arsenal in particular have come in for criticism from Soccer Australia chief executive Ian Holmes, who blasted them as ‘‘arrogant and self-indulgent’’.

FIFA’s move came after a petition protesting against the match was organised by Arsenal and signed by 11 clubs.

The clubs pointed out that their players would be forced to endure two 24-hour flights in the space of a weekend.

The November 11 friendly, swiftly degenerating into anything but, is a vital warm-up game for Australia given their World Cup qualifying play-off matches later in the month against the fifth-placed team in the South American group, which is as yet unknown.

Leeds striker Viduka recognises the need for the all the Australian players involved to be fully acclimatised and prepared for the two-legged showdown which will be the biggest games for his country since they lost the 1998 play-off against Iran.

The 26-year-old and Elland Road team-mate Harry Kewell, both of whom have already stated they will play in the friendly, are integral to Australia’s chances of success.

With the game falling on a blank weekend and with no Premiership fixture for seven days prior to the date and six days after, Viduka feels the plot has been lost.

He said: ‘‘The French match is equally as important to us as the two qualifying matches are, because we haven’t played too many games together.

‘‘If you look at how many times the England, Irish and Scottish lads are away from camp during a season, this is not really that much to ask if you look at the big picture.

‘‘A lot of times when England or other countries play friendly games, this is not an issue, but when it is Australia it doesn’t seem to be taken as seriously.’’

Socceroos skipper and Middlesbrough midfielder Paul Okon also feels it is vital that Australia are able to put out their strongest side which would have to include both Viduka and Kewell.

‘‘We know how important they are for Leeds as a pair playing together and I think they’ll be even more important for us playing together up front,’’ said Okon.

Australian coach Frank Farina has attacked FIFA’s stance as ‘scandalous’ and insisted a manager should be allowed to pick any player he wants.

Viduka is in full agreement with Farina, and can see the point of view the clubs are making, but feels given the timing of the match there should not be a problem.

‘‘It’s difficult for Frank,’’ added Viduka. ‘‘Every time we play a game at home we have a 24-hour flight and then we have to let our bodies adjust, plus he has pressure from the various clubs.

‘‘It’s difficult, but it’s not an unrealistic request this time.’’

Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein, meanwhile, rejected the criticism and claimed it was now a matter for FIFA to take further.

‘‘They are aiming at the wrong target,’’ said Dein. ‘‘We happen to be the team leaders, but we have all the others on our side.

‘‘We put in a petition, FIFA reacted accordingly, and it is now an issue between FIFA and the two associations. We are sympathetic to the Australian football association, but we would hope they can see our point of view as well.

‘‘This fixture was ill-conceived in the first instance and the world governing body has recommended a compromise.

‘‘It is not unreasonable they can still have a very, very acceptable team by having one player from each club.’’

FIFA are still waiting for an official reply from the French and Australian federations.